
Issue No 109		31 August 2001

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News

Green Tin Box Values Gone At Commonwealth

By Andrew Casey

A cleaner who has been working for more than eight years at the Commonwealth Bank's original Sydney head office may not have a job next week because the bank has decided to change cleaning contractors.

The old nine-storey head office is on the corner of Pitt St and Martin Place.

This building was the model for the green tin savings boxes the Commonwealth handed out for over 70 years to generations of Australian school children.

" The era of the green tin money boxes have passed," Sonia Minutillo, the Executive Vice President of the LHMU Cleaners Union said.

" The era of banks providing a friendly face and a service to customers has also passed.

" And an era of banks treating all their workers, especially long term workers, with some civility has long passed away.

" Our members went on a snap strike on Thursday night at the old building,, at 120 Pitt St, demanding to be treated with a little bit more respect."

LHMU Cleaning Union members leafleted the other workers, and passers-by in Pitt St, on Thursday and Friday explaining the issues and calling for support.

"The bank has decided to change cleaning contractors but no one has told the workers what will happen to them," Sonia Minutillo said.

"The custom and practice in this industry is that when a cleaning contract changes the existing workforce is given the first offer of a job. It hasn't happened this time.

"Long term employees have been refused ongoing employment for no reason.

"This is hardly fair," Sonia said.

Show your support for the members of the LHMU Cleaners Union by ringing the Commonwealth Bank's managing agent, Jones Lang Le Salle, and the Commonwealth Bank's HR people.

At Jones Lang Le Salle contact Kylie Thorton ( 9220 8409) or Paul Nelson ( 9220 8438)

At the Commonwealth Bank ring Angelica on 9378 3265.

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  Issue 109 contents

Interview: Union Power
Electrical Trades Union state secretary Bernie Riordan surveys the union movement's troubled relationship with Labor.

International: Spreading the Word
Veronica Apap profiles Kamal Fadel and the battle he is fighting for the independence of his homeland of West Sahara.

E-Change: Training for a Wired Workforce
Education is the entry point into the new economy; but the system still reflects an industrial age view of the world.

Unions: AWU Defends Millennium Train Workers
Mark Hearn looks at how a group of Newcastle workers are setting a new standard in the railways.

Politics: Chatting with Enemies of the State
Brazils MST is the largest and most radical social movement in the Americas. The CFMEU´s Phil Davey drops in for a chat.

History: Struggle and Inspiration
Rowan Cahill argues that it is only through understanding history that we can make sense of the present plight of workers.

Technology: A World Without Microsoft
Heather Sharp argues that all technologies involve political choices and moral values. Computer software is no exception, and it is Bill Gates' choices that dominate.

Review: Let There Be Rock
Kid Rock and Beer Bong, Australia’s Oldest Rock Fans review the week’s music and political events from the safety of the bar stool.

Satire: Tampa refugees ask to go home: "It's less inhumane than Australia"
The 460 asylum seekers on board the Tampa freight vessel have demanded to be taken back to their oppressive homelands, which they now realise aren’t nearly as hostile as Australia.

» The Meaning of Working Life – The Answer is 7.1!

» Unions Stand Up for National Soul

» MUA Salvages Some Pride

» Common Law Report Plea – Make It Public

» Maintenance Contract 'Could Put Lives at Risk'

» Tax Office's GST Scam - 10 Per Cent Off!

» Della Moves on Pay Slip Concerns

» Authorities Scotch Bra-Burning

» Manusafe Decision Faces Appeal

» Orange Finally Saved from Closure

» Award Win For Telco Workers

» Abbott Clears Way for Lower Wages

» SDA Defeats 'Obscene' Westfield Parking Fees

» Labor Calls On Abbott To Abide By Convention

» Nurses Highlight Staff Shortages

» Keystone Cops At Wonderland Protest

» Call for Change in Award Increases

» Green Tin Box Values Gone At Commonwealth

» Dance for Independence

» Get Ready to Wobble

» Activist Notebook

» STOP PRESS: ITF says PM Tampa action illegal